Will Packers use Kaepernick's words as motivation?

Jul. 24, 2013

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick runs for a first down against the Green Bay Packers defense during the NFC divisional playoff game at Candlestick Park in January. File/Gannett Wisconsin Media

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For San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, it serves as the highlight of his young career.

In a profile by Peter King on MMQB.com, Kaepernick recalled his stunning performance in a 45-31 playoff victory over the Packers last January, in which he rushed 16 times for an NFL record 181 yards.

“It got to a point where we could hear (the Packers’ defenders) arguing while we were in our huddle,” Kaepernick told King. “‘You’re supposed to do this,’ or ‘You have to do this, then the other.’ At that point, our offense was like, ‘It’s over.’ As soon as you start turning on your teammates, you’re not going to be productive. You know you have them in the palm of your hands.”

The Packers' defense gave up an astounding 579 total yards and was completely befuddled by Kaepernick and the 49ers’ attack.

That game has served as a catalyst for the Packers to take action during the offseason.

The Packers coaching staff visited Texas A&M to brush up on defending against running quarterbacks like Kaepernick. The Packers also drafted UCLA defensive end Datone Jones in the first round as perhaps a direct reaction to getting steamrolled by Kaepernick.

As Press-Gazette Media’s Pete Dougherty points out in his annual Packers position series, drafting the 6-4, 285-pound Jones will give the Packers a missing dimension of length and athleticism as an every-down lineman to counter the NFL’s proliferating spread offenses and growing number of quarterbacks who run almost as well as running backs.

You can be almost certain the Packers will take Kaepernick’s comments as a slap in the face -- even if true – and will use them as motivation in advance of the season opener Sept. 8 when the Packers travel to San Francisco.